Bookings Manager – Full Time

We are looking for an excellent administrator and communicator to manage our venues bookings. This role, within our small team, will manage multiple booking enquiries, events, invoicing, liaison with clients and partners and be a crucial part of moving our Venues business forwards. 

Closing date for applications; Wed 1st September 2021.

PLEASE SAVE THE BLANK APPLICATION FORM TO YOUR COMPUTER BEFORE COMPLETING – THEN COMPLETE THE FORM AND EMAIL TO JOBS@WOODLEY.GOV.UK

Vacancy details

Job Description & Person Specification

Application Form

Application Guidance Notes

Wokingham Borough Council’s over 60s activities programme, SHINE, will be upgrading its current Eventbrite online booking system to a new online platform called My PT Hub next month (Monday 13 September 2021).

A series of question-and-answer sessions will be held from 10 to 25 August 2021 at leisure centres around the borough, for residents to learn more, voice questions, comments, and concerns, about the new platform.

The change to My PT Hub will reflect adjustments for Covid-19 measures and safeguard both members and instructors, allowing SHINE to continue to run activity classes efficiently and with minimum disruption. Benefits of the new My PT Hub platform include Covid-secure, contactless booking, eliminating cross-contamination through the handling of coupon cards. There will be more choice of membership options, bespoke to members’ needs, plus more choices of accessing both in-person and virtual exercise classes. My PT Hub will also feature a live booking system with a waiting list to maximise space efficiency. Members will be able to access live streamed classes and a virtual library of activities in the comfort of their own home.

Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure said, “We are delighted to be offering residents a new platform that offers a more personalised, contactless booking system. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, SHINE has adapted quickly to the changing demands and needs of our members, for instance, the success of our virtual classes. My PT Hub is easy to use and most importantly, safeguards both members and instructors. We will be holding a series of question-and-answer sessions throughout August, and I urge members to pop in to learn more about the new platform.”

Q&A session locations

The question-and-answer sessions will take place on 10 August at Bulmershe Leisure Centre, 11 August at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre, 13 August at Cantley Park, 24 August at Bulmershe Leisure Centre, and 25 August at Cantley Park, between 9am to 11am, and 1pm to 3pm.

Members attending the question-and-answer sessions will be shown how to log in and use My PT Hub and how to book classes. They will also be given an opportunity to voice concerns, ask questions and comment on the new platform. 

Annual memberships will be refunded. Members who have coupon cards will have credits transferred to the new My PT Hub or a refund.

Take part in SHINE’s short survey

SHINE is keen to hear people’s views on improvements and enhancements that could be made to ensure the activities programme continuously meets the needs and expectations of residents. Members and residents are invited to an online consultation to complete a short survey to express their views.

Residents will be receiving communications from Wokingham Borough Council in August and September requesting information for the electoral register. An email form will be sent to residents week commencing 16 August, followed by a postal form in September.

The annual canvass of residents ensures that the council can keep the electoral register up to date, so there are fewer last-minute applications when an election is called. Both the email and postal forms will include instructions on how to complete them.

The email form will ask residents to check and confirm their details at the Household Response Service website. It is important that all residents living within the property are registered to vote. The email will contain the security codes needed to complete the process. The deadline for completing the email form is 30 August 2021.

Not all residents will be contacted by email. Residents are advised to wait for the postal form if they do not receive an email in August, and to complete as soon as possible. The deadline for completing the postal form is 21 September 2021.

Andrew Moulton, electoral registration officer said: “It’s important we have the right details for every property in the borough. We are urging residents to check their email and look out for a postal form when it arrives, and complete as soon as possible to continue to have a say at future elections. If you’re not currently registered at your address, your name will not appear on the form.

“Using the automated response facilities which are quick and easy, is our preferred method of updating our records, but you can also complete and return the paper form if you prefer.”

Residents who have moved address recently are particularly encouraged to keep an eye out for the form and check their details. If you need any help completing the form, or would like any further information about electoral registration, please contact Wokingham Borough Council’s Electoral Services team by email atelectoralservices@wokingham.gov.uk or on 0118 974 6000. 

Wokingham Borough Council has launched a consultation on its draft Domestic Abuse Strategy for 2021-2024, and wants to hear residents’ views on its proposals, particularly from those who feel that it would be difficult for them, or others they know, to access services and support. The consultation survey runs from 26 July until 20 August 2021. 

As a result of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, Wokingham Borough Council has put in place a consultation strategy to ensure support is available for victims of domestic abuse and their children in safe accommodation, whilst holding perpetrators to account, and working towards long-term wellbeing. The Domestic Abuse Strategy Consultation survey seeks residents’ thoughts, comments, and opinions to meet these duties alongside the council’s wider approach to domestic abuse. The aims include reaching out to Wokingham borough residents who are suffering from domestic abuse, whilst working towards a society in which people can live without fear of abuse or violence.

Executive member for neighbourhood and communities Cllr Bill Soane said: “Domestic abuse can directly or indirectly affect many people, and it is very often hidden with people not feeling able to access help and support. We have a duty to protect and safeguard children, young and vulnerable people, and the aim of this consultation is to find out residents’ views to help inform the Wokingham Domestic Abuse Strategy. In Wokingham, we want to reach out to all residents in the borough to help us understand if we are on the right track with our draft Domestic Abuse Strategy by completing a short survey”.

Complete the survey

Wokingham borough residents are invited to complete a short survey on the consultation strategy here before 11.59pm on 20 August 2021. The survey is open to all residents, including those who have been affected by violence or abuse. Views of professionals supporting those affected by domestic abuse are also welcomed.  

About domestic abuse

Domestic abuse affects one in four women and one in six men during their lifetime, shattering the lives of those affected, including children. It can happen to people regardless of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, faith, disability, and financial situation, impacting on feelings of safety as well as short and long-term physical and mental wellbeing.

Abusive behaviour consists of any of the following: physical or sexual abuse, violent or threatening behaviour, controlling or coercive behaviour, economic abuse, or psychological, emotional, or other abuse. This includes incidences where the abusive party directs their behaviour at another person, e.g., a child. Economic abuse means any behaviour that has a substantial adverse effect on someone’s ability to acquire, use or maintain money or other property, or obtain goods or services.

Complete the Domestic Abuse consultation strategy survey here

26/7/21

Disruption to garden waste collection services

Garden waste collections may run slightly late this week due to collection staff having to follow Covid-19 guidance to self-isolate after being pinged by NHS Test and Trace.

If your garden waste is not collected on the day it is due please leave your bins and sacks out until the following day when it will be collected as we catch up. Report your bin or sacks as missed after 4pm on the day after your collection is due if it is missed.

You can check your waste collection day by entering your postcode on Wokingham Borough Council’s collection day checker on its website.

Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel opened a new branch of Travis Perkins in Woodley last week, marking the occasion with a ceremonious ‘ribbon cutting’.

The brand new Travis Perkins branch features a new plumbing and heating showroom and a tools and plant hire section which includes diggers and dumpers. With over 25,000 products in branch and online, it offers a fast and convenient one hour click and collect service and next day delivery.

“I am delighted to attend the opening of the Woodley branch of Travis Perkins on behalf of the residents of Woodley. It’s wonderful to welcome a new service provider to our town. The new employment opportunities are an added bonus to our thriving community,” said Woodley Town Mayor Cllr Janet Sartorel. 

Matt Rodda MP, who also attended the opening, said: “I was delighted to visit the new Travis Perkins Branch in Woodley. It was interesting to meet managers and staff and to hear about the business and the opportunities it is providing through apprenticeships and its efforts to attract a wider range of people into the building industry. I was also interested to hear about the firm’s commitment to selling sustainably produced timber and its work with its suppliers”.

Branch manager Samantha Nice said: “This new state-of-the-art branch provides a one-stop shop for all building and construction needs. It is twice as big as before, with a stunning new plumbing and heating showroom and is in a much more prominent and visible location in Headley Park.

“With demand for construction and building at an all-time high, the opening of our new branch couldn’t come at a better time.”

If you would like to invite the Town Mayor or Deputy Town Mayor to an event, please email: Matthew.Filmore@woodley.gov.uk.

Wokingham Borough Council’s decision-making executive will meet on Thursday 29 July to discuss next steps on several climate emergency projects across Wokingham Borough, including public engagement, a tree planting project and a new solar farm.

The council declared a climate emergency in 2019 and the ambitious projects form part of its climate emergency action plan, aiming to make the borough net zero carbon by 2030.

Amongst the items set to be taken forward to the next phase are plans to invest in a tree strategy for Wokingham Borough, including planting the first set of trees The council has committed to planting 250,000 new trees during the next five years, adding to the 100,000 it already looks after. 

Converting land to woodlands will play a key part in capturing and storing excess carbon, however it is the woodland ecosystem as opposed to single trees that will make the difference. Undertaking a feasibility plan and developing a strategy will enable trees to be planted in locations and ways that will create the greatest benefit for the borough.

Also being discussed is the proposed solar farm in Barkham. A planning application has been submitted to build the solar farm on council owned land and is set to be considered by the planning committee in the Autumn. It is proposed that funds will be agreed now to avoid delays in starting the work should the application be approved.

The farm would cost around £20 million to develop and last for 25 years, after which time the land could revert to farmland. The energy it would generate is equivalent to offsetting the whole of the council’s own emissions, including offices, schools and civic buildings. The added benefit of the project is that excess energy can be sold, earning revenue that the council can spend on providing services for residents and projects across the borough.

Finally, the executive will be asked how to engage with the public on climate emergency. After a robust analysis of different methods of public engagement, it is proposed that the council use e-panels and focus groups, which topped the evaluation in terms of cost effectiveness, diverse participation opportunities and overall effectiveness.

Members of the public in the borough will be invited to participate from early 2022, which will give the council opportunities to hear their voices, collect their views and gather insight to inform future decisions.

Cllr Gregor Murray, executive member for resident services, communications and emissions, said: “Climate emergency is a key focus for Wokingham Borough Council, and we are committed to making Wokingham Borough net zero carbon by 2030. As a council we are implementing a wide range of schemes, including tree planting, a solar farm and public engagement.

“Having a solar farm will significantly offset our carbon emissions and is a big step in the right direction for a net zero carbon borough. There are, however, areas that it won’t be possible for us to completely eradicate carbon emissions.

“The tree project will help carbon that we can’t eradicate to be removed from the atmosphere. We need to carefully look at where these trees are planted. We think we will need around 250 hectares of land. We will be looking at our own land as well as talking to local landowners to identify the best locations.

“We also need support from our residents and businesses to look at how we can encourage people to make changes. Things such as recycling more, choosing green energy suppliers and cutting down on using our cars.

“Being able to speak directly with residents, businesses and schools to see how the council can support and encourage people to make changes, as well as finding out what are their key drivers in supporting the climate emergency is really important to us to understand how we can work together to make the borough net zero carbon.”

Town Mayor of Woodley presents Mini Medics certificates to students at Bulmershe School

Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel, had the privilege to recently award Mini Medic certificates to students at The Bulmershe School. 

The students had learnt how to deal with a casualty not breathing, choking, allergies, recovery positions, talking to the emergency services and how to be Covid safe and still treat someone who is ill or injured. All of the students did remarkably well, particularly during the recent challenging times of the Covid 19 pandemic. 

“It was a privilege to watch the first aid skills that had been learnt and I was very impressed with the knowledge and proficiency of the students. Their confidence really shone through,” said the Town Mayor. 

Medical Lead at the school, Mrs Gaetan, praised the students for all the hard work they put in, despite the disruptions throughout the pandemic, particularly focusing on how resourceful they had been and the hard work they had put in to catch up and complete the course. 

The Town Mayor further commended the students for their hard work. 

“I would like to congratulate the students for their focused team-work, helping each other in different first aid situations, demonstrating skills that they will be able to carry on outside of school and support the wonderful community of Woodley. I hope you are all very proud of yourselves.”

If you would like to invite the Town Mayor or Deputy Town Mayor to an event, please email: Matthew.Filmore@woodley.gov.uk.

Wokingham Borough Council library buildings reopen from Monday 19 July, in line with the easing of national restrictions.  

Wokingham, Lower Early, Spencers Wood, Twyford, Wargrave, Finchampstead and Winnersh libraries will all open on their full operating hours and resume all services from Monday 19 July.  

Woodley library will be open for its full hours, apart from Sundays which will start again later in the summer.

The Arborfield pop-up library is implementing a staggered re-opening approach from Monday 2 August.

Full details will be available on the Council’s website. 

All library buildings have remained closed since the start of the pandemic, with only Wokingham, Woodley and Lower Early opening in between lockdowns for book browsing and borrowing; as well as the council’s popular digital library service, providing a range of ebooks and virtual events. 

Cllr Bill Soane, executive member for Neighbourhood and Communities said: “I am excited that we can finally reopen the many libraries we have in Wokingham borough. These are community hubs for our residents, offering useful learning resources and helpful services for all, so we look forward to welcoming people back.” 

To encourage the community to get back out utilising these services, the council has replaced all public computers and upgraded them with new software; there will also be a programme of activities in place throughout July and August, particularly focusing on supporting children’s literary development. These programmes include the Annual Summer Reading Challenge including a range virtual events, the Teen Writing Group, and some themed Storytime Sessions planned for later in the summer.  These activities are specifically aimed at children and young people, who have had a challenging experience this past year and a half; with the programmes designed to get them inspired through literary during the summer holidays. 

Cllr Bill Soane continues: “With the plethora of programmes scheduled for this summer, I am hoping our residents can take advantage and get involved in the activities created for them.” To find out more about the library programme of activities this summer, visit the council’s website: www.wokingham.gov.uk.

Please note that while cases are high and rising, the council feels it is important to maintain all social distancing measures and one-way systems in public buildings beyond Monday 19 July. Therefore, screens will remain in place in library receptions, hand sanitiser will be available, and visitors are encouraged to continue wearing face coverings and keeping their distance from others to protect themselves and staff. 

Face masks to continue to be worn after 19 July

As the UK government eases its Covid 19 restrictions, we are mindful that cases are high and rising, and have therefore taken the decision to remain cautious by asking users of our facilities to continue to wear a face covering* in communal areas, respect social distancing measures and sanitise their hands to protect themselves, others and staff. This will apply at all of our facilities including the Oakwood Centre and Woodford Park Leisure Centre. We will also continue to display the QR codes for NHS Test and Trace and encourage users of our facilities to check in to help the service identify people who may have the virus. 

Thank you for your cooperation. 

Woodley Town Council 

*Wearing a face covering does not apply if you are medically exempt. 

Woodley Town Mayor, Cllr Janet Sartorel, was delighted to attend a family fun day held recently at The Shepherds House Inn. 

The event was held to raise money for Arrhythmia Alliance, an organisation which focuses on improving the treatment for those affected by heart rhythm disorders. 

The fun day was organised by Claire Page, whose daughter Lilly-May Page suffered a sudden cardiac arrest and died while at school on May 15, 2014 at just 5 years old.

Claire has since raised money for Arrhythmia Alliance and also heads up its A-A defibs save lives Lilly may page campaign. 

Cllr Sartorel said: “I was very pleased to attend the event to help raise the importance of defibrillators being readily available to the community. It was a fun event with a lot of information available.”

Click HERE for more information about the Defibs Saves Lives Campaign.

If you would like to book the Town Mayor or Deputy Mayor for an event please email: matthew.filmore@woodley.gov.uk